2026 Thanksgiving Message By The Executive Director Of The Office For The Establishment Of War And Economic Crimes Court For Liberia (Owecc-L)

Fellow Liberians, Friends of Liberia, and All Well-Wishers:

On this National Thanksgiving Day, OWECC-L gives gratitude to the Almighty God for His enduring grace, peace, and protection over our beloved Republic.

This year’s Thanksgiving carries a uniquely sacred weight, underscored by the powerful spiritual devotion of our Liberian Women, who are currently engaged in a solemn “Three-day Fast and Prayer” for our Nation. Their intercession serves as a beautiful reminder of the foundational strength of our Mothers, Sisters, and Daughters, whose faith has historically anchored Liberia through its most challenging trials. We stand in solidarity with them, drawing inspiration from their spiritual fortitude as they cry out for justice, accountability, and the moral rebirth of our society.

Guided by this collective desire for healing, I appeal with a sense of national urgency to the Honorable Liberian Legislature to act swiftly and pass the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC) Bills into law. The draft acts are before You, fully vetted and blessed by the traditional custodians of our land. The cries for justice from victims and survivors must no longer be delayed.

For the Executive, this pivotal historical moment requires a visible, uncompromising, and fortified demonstration of political will. We call upon the Executive to forcefully lead the implementation of these accountability mechanisms, ensuring that no internal obstruction or political hesitation delays the justice our citizens have long deserved.

True justice requires concrete resources, and our laws must be backed by financial commitment. I heavily emphasize the absolute necessity for the government to ensure the explicit inclusion of substantial, dedicated financial support for both courts within the 2027 National Budget. Providing this direct state funding is the ultimate test of our institutional integrity. It ensures that the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L) can transition seamlessly into full operational courts. Allocating local revenue to these courts safeguards their legal independence, ensures proper case mapping, and guarantees that our structures are built to robust, unassailable standards.

As we fulfill our domestic responsibilities, we call for the intentional, tangible, and real support of our international partners. Liberia cannot walk this path toward transitional justice alone. We call upon ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the United States Government, the United Nations (UN), and the entire global community to stand firmly with us. We require your technical expertise, security collaboration, and robust financial partnerships to bring these courts into full operation. This international solidarity is vital to erasing the culture of impunity, establishing deep-seated legal reforms, and showing that global commitment to human rights has a permanent home in Liberia.

This momentous season fills us with a renewed, unshakeable faith in the destiny of our Country. The synchronized alignment of the prayers of our Women, the imminent actions of our Government, and the willingness of our Global Allies signal that Liberia is undergoing a profound moral resurrection.

Let us carry this renewed faith forward into our daily lives, recognizing that true reconciliation walks hand-in-hand with accountability.

May the prayers of our Women (Our Grandma them, our Ma Them, our Sister Them; and our Daughter Them) continue to cover our land; May the steps we take toward justice be firm and unwavering; and

May God bless the Republic of Liberia.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.